Legislative Victory Sees Eleven Park Move Closer to Reality

INDIANAPOLIS – Eleven Park, the proposed new soccer-specific home for the USL Championship’s Indy Eleven, came one step closer to reality on Tuesday as the Indiana Senate concurred on Senate Bill 7 that would commit nearly $800 million for operating expenses and to fund capital projects.

The bill will now go forward to the desk of Governor Eric Holcomb for final approval, with the funding for the project and renovation of the Indiana Pacers’ Bankers Life Fieldhouse to come from a mix of existing income, sales, innkeepers, admission and auto rental taxes.

The Eleven, who are currently on a four-game winning streak in the Championship to sit third in the Eastern Conference standings, released a statement praising the efforts of lawmakers to pass the bill.

“With Senate Bill 7 now headed to the Governor’s desk, we are ready to kick off a new era for Indy Eleven professional soccer and the world’s most popular sport in Indiana – with no new taxes and no appropriations from city or state governments,” said the Eleven’s statement. “This is the latest step in the legislative process. With the Governor’s signature, we can continue along the path to fully capturing this one-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of the world’s game in our capital city.

“Eleven Park is grateful to Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray and the bill’s Senate authors; Sen. Ryan Mishler, Sen. Travis Holdman, and Sen. Jack Sandlin, and co-authors; Sen. Jean Breaux and Sen. Jon Ford, and the bill’s House sponsors; Rep. Todd Huston, Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer, Rep. Gregory Porter, and Rep. Dave Heine, all of whom have provided leadership and guidance as the bill has moved through the legislative process.”

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also offered his congratulations on the passing of the bill and the important investment in infrastructure the city committed to.

“I want to applaud this afternoon’s concurrence on Senate Bill 7, but I also want to applaud the way this legislation was crafted — through state-local collaboration, without a tax or fee increase, and with broad bipartisan support,” said Hogsett. “I offer my personal thanks to legislative leaders in the house and senate for their collective work to craft a bill that protects Hoosier taxpayers and preserves this key economic engine for the next generation of Indiana residents. I look forward to continued conversations with state and local leaders about how we can fully realize the Capital Improvement Board’s 25-year vision for these critical assets.”